Page 32 of Poison Vows

She has even begged me not to be like the people who abandoned her… but I can’t even afford to promise her that. Not even with the billions I have.

The only thing keeping me from her, is me…

And now she wants me to give her a baby? Me? Unfit, on a revenge mission, and about to die?

With that stark reminder, I take a large step back, leaving a huge distance between us that kills me inside.

We’re both silent, not knowing what to say or do until she finally speaks, her voice gravelly and dry.

“I don’t give a damn what you will allow or what you won’t,” she says hoarsely. “I want what I want, and you will give it to me.”

I hold her stare, feeling lightheaded. I need to go before I keel over in front of Angel.

Silently, I grab a scrunchie from my pocket and walk back to her.

I pile her hair that I braided last night, then tie it in a way that the ends warp into the knot to clear off her neck and shoulders so she can shower without fuss.

I take a step back, watching her heaving chest, then her plump lips I want to take in a kiss but know that’s a line I can’t cross, and finally, I look into her ember eyes filled with uncertainty, shock, suspicion, and questions.

So many questions that I ignore.

“We’re too worked up,” I mutter. “Let’s talk later.”

“My decision won’t change, so don’t bother.”

The agony in my chest swells to a new height, but I don’t dare make a sound. Not now. Not in front of her.

“Now that’s settled, I have other things to do,” she states.

Slap me upside down with a shovel… what?

“You’re leaving?” I call after her. “Just like that?”

“What? Feeling threatened?” she counters icily. “Get a grip, Emmett Easton. You’re not the only one who can be heartless.”

“You’re playing with too much fire,” I grit out, feeling like I’m about to lose my mind.

“Oh? Then I get to be a master of dousing that so-called fire.” She turns around, holding my gaze without flinching. “Let’s have a good partnership, shall we?”

And with that painful insult hanging in the air, she confidently turns on her heel and struts out of my office like she owns it and me.

Kai comes in through another door seconds after Angel leaves.

When he sees the look on my face, he quickly grabs my arm to steady me.

“Pills,” I croak.

“Sir, I think we should call the doct?—”

“No,” I gasp, clutching at my chest. “She’s here.”

“But, sir.”

“Give me the pills.”

I can hear Kai’s silent protest, but he doesn’t dare defy my orders.

Ty rushes down the hall with the pills and a bottle of water and quickly opens them and passes me two. I look at him.

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